Hyunmoo-3

The Hyunmoo-3 series is a family of short- to medium-range, land-attack cruise missiles. The Hyunmoo-3A, 3B, and 3C are currently in service, with a D variant reportedly in development. The Hyunmoo 3C, with a reach of 1,500 km, is among the longest range missiles that South Korea currently deploys.

Hyunmoo-3 Development

South Korea (ROK) likely began development of an indigenous cruise missile in the 1990s, with the initial deployments of the Hyunmoo 3A occurring in 2006. This development effort has enabled South Korea to extend the reach of its missile forces, as ROK’s ballistic missile programs are limited by US-ROK arms control agreements.1

The Hyunmoo-3 series has become a key element in South Korea’s military posture. Its longer-range strike capabilities, as well as its increased accuracy and improved bunker-busting capabilities, support both South Korea’s ‘Kill Chain’ and its ‘Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation’ decapitation strategies against North Korean leaders.

Several reports note that the Hyunmoo-3 resembles the U.S. Tomahawk and Russian Klub/Kalibr missiles.2 The Hyunmoo-3 series was developed by the state-run Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by LIG Nex1.

Hyunmoo-3A

North Korean model of Hyunmoo-3A

South Korea deployed the Hyunmoo-3A in 2006. The road-mobile, ground-launched cruise missile has a range of 500 km.3 As Anthony Cordesman notes, while the Hyunmoo-3A is capable of striking Pyongyang, its range is insufficient to reach the DPRK’s long-range missile sites like the Musadan-ri site in North Hamgyeong Province.4 This limitation likely explains why ROK soon began development of the longer-ranged 3B variant.

Hyunmoo-3B

South Korea deployed the Hyunmoo-3B in early 2009.5 With an improved range of 1,000 km, the Hyunmoo-3B was the first ground-launched cruise missile to provide ROK the capability to target all of North Korea from almost any location in South Korea.6 Like the Hyunmoo-3A, the 3B variant is road-mobile.

Hyunmoo-3C

Hyunmoo-3C

ROK military sources say development of the ship- and submarine-based Hyunmoo-3C began in 2008, but reports indicate that testing began as early as 2006.7 The missile entered full production in 2010, and was deployed in April 2012.8 It has a range of 1,500 km.9

In addition to providing South Korea with longer-distance cruise missile capability, the Hyunmoo-3C’s sea basing adds greater flexibility to ROK missile platforms. The missile was designed to be fired from destroyers (KDX-III) or submarines (KSS-II) with vertical launch systems.10

Hyunmoo-3D/4

Development of a fourth Hyunmoo-3 variant is reportedly underway. One report indicates the Hyunmoo-3D/4 will be capable of a range of 3,000 km while carrying a 500 kg payload.11 It will likely be supersonic.12

Hyunmoo 3 Specifications

While the Hyunmoo-3 missile series developed with increasing range and accuracy, they share common elements and characteristics. Hyunmoo-3 missiles reportedly have a length of 6.2 m, body diameter of 0.53 m to 0.60 m, and launch weight of approximately 1,360 kg. The A and B variants can carry a payload of 500 kg, while the C version can carry a 450 kg warhead.13 The Hyunmoo-3 incorporates inertial navigation system, GPS, and terrain matching technology.14 The A and B variants have a CEP of approximately 3 m, and according to one military analyst, the C variant has a CEP of less than 2 m. 15 All missiles within the Hyunmoo-3 series employ solid-propellant boosters and turbojet engines.16

Service History

The Hyunmoo-3A was first test fired on October 25, 2006, flying 500 km, and entered service later that year. 17 The Hyunmoo-3B entered service in early 2009.18 As the 3A and 3B variants are road-mobile, it is difficult to track their deployments.

The Hyunmoo-3C is deployed on ROK Navy KDX-III destroyers, Incheon-class frigates, and Type 214 submarines (KSS-II) with vertical launch systems.19 With a range of over 1,000 km, South Korea classifies the Hunmoo 3C as a ‘strategic weapon’ under control of the Joint Chiefs, rather than the ROK Navy.20

Last Updated: 06.15.2018

Share this:

Cite this Page

Missile Defense Project, "Hyunmoo-3," Missile Threat, Center for Strategic and International Studies, published October 10, 2017, last modified June 15, 2018, https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/hyunmoo-3-abc/.

Kyle Mizokami, “This Is How South Korea Plans to Stop a Nuclear Attack from North Korea,” The National Interest, July 10, 2017, http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/how-south-korea-plans-stop-nuclear-attack-north-korea-21472.

Missile Threat brings together a wide range of information and analyses relating to the proliferation of cruise and ballistic missiles around the world and the air and missile defense systems designed to defeat them. Missile Threat is a product of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

1616 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

NEWSLETTER

Sign up for the CSIS Missile Defense Project’s monthly newsletter for info on the project’s latest publications, upcoming events, and analysis on recent missile defense news.